The full Derek Carr details

Posted by Mike Florio on July 2, 2017, 2:24 PM EDT

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It’s taken a little longer than usual, but finally the full and complete Derek Carr contract details have emerged. And, as usual, the details confirm some reports regarding the deal — and debunk others.

For now, the specifics:

1. Signing bonus of $12.5 million, paid within 15 days of contract signing.

2. Fully-guaranteed 2017 base salary of $5 million.

3. Fully-guaranteed roster bonus of $7.5 million, earned on June 30, 2017 and payable on or about September 21, 2017.

4. 2018 base salary of $7.4 million, guaranteed for injury only at signing and fully guaranteed as of the third day of the 2018 league year in March.

5. Fully-guaranteed roster bonus of $15 million, earned on the third day of the 2018 league year and paid within 15 days thereafter.

6. 2019 base salary of $19.9 million, guaranteed for injury only at signing and fully-guaranteed on the third day of the 2019 waiver period in February.

7. 2020 base salary of $18.9 million, $2.9 million of which is guaranteed for injury at signing. The $2.9 million becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2020 waiver period in February.

8. 2021 base salary of $19.525 million, not guaranteed.

9. 2022 base salary of $19.777519 million, not guaranteed.

10. Annual workout bonuses of $100,000 for 2018 through 2022, based on participation in the offseason program of at least 85 percent.

The deal pays out, as multiple others have reported, $40 million fully guaranteed at signing, along with $70.2 million for injury.

The contract isn’t as backloaded as it could have been (and as some assumed it was), given the looming move from California (with state income tax of 13 percent) to Nevada (with none). Here’s what Carr will receive, year by year:

2017: $25 million.

2018: $22.5 million.

2019: $20 million.

2020: $19 million.

2021: $19.625 million.

2022: $19.877 million.

Relative to the rest of the deal, Carr gets more per year in California than he’ll get in Nevada. The key for Carr becomes 2019; if the team remains in California that year, he’ll pay an extra $2.6 million in taxes.

The cap numbers for the deal are as follows, assuming five years of proration of the signing bonus: $15 million in 2017; $25 million in 2018; $22.5 million in 2019; $21.5 million in 2020; $22.125 million in 2021; $19.877 million in 2022.

The structure confirms that the Raiders’ reported reluctance to sign linebacker Khalil Mack this year due to cap issues is a canard. By loading up $12.5 million in roster bonus and salary and limiting the signing bonus of $12.5 million, Carr ended up with a much larger cap number this year than he otherwise could have had. With a salary of $1 million and a signing bonus of $24 million (which would have still created $25 million in cash flow), the cap number for 2017 would have been only $5.8 million.

56 responses to “The full Derek Carr details”

Absolutely OVERPAID for a QB that has not accomplished anything yet.
This is a mediocre quarterback that has had a handful of good games and they want to pay him as if he is the GOAT.
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted a QB in Patrick Mahomes, who will be MUCH better, and will be a future HOFer.
Alex Smith is even a better QB.

The Raiders have just placed themselves in salary cap hell for the next 4-5 years, and Chiefs Nation loves it!!!!!

I’m thinking that Mack will be fine with getting his extension in the 2018 offseason (before the 5th year of his rookie contract). With 12.5 mil. signing bonus for Carr, there’s not much dead money being pushed to later years, so this’ll leave sufficient room to ink Mack next spring and pay him the amounts he deserves in the future years of his new deal.

The fact that Carr got the relatively large (by McKenzie standards) signing bonus as will Mack is because they’re cornerstone players meriting huge contracts. For other players, the pay-as-you-go approach (guarantees in the form of current salary rather than) is the way that McKenzie goes which I’m happy with since it prevents bad cap situations (dead money accelerations) down-the-road if those other players get cut.

It should legit be pointed out that Carr could have actually made a lot more on this contract had he pushed the issue, thus making his statement about taking less for the team true. Guaranteed money is all that matters, and Carr took a deal that includes 70.2 in guaranteed money, which is about 17 million short of Lucks 87 mill guaranteed. The reason RM made the first years cap hit so big was most likely to aid in reaching the salary cap floor, and seeing that they only intended on signing another player or two for an approximate amount of money, had to find a way to reach that floor.

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted a QB in Patrick Mahomes, who will be MUCH better, and will be a future HOFer.

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I remember hearing similar talk from chiefs supporters the last time they drafted a QB in the 1st round (Todd Blackledge) after passing on future HOFers Dan Marino and Jim Kelly. How did that turn out?

Iknowitall says- Absolutely OVERPAID for a QB that has not accomplished anything yet.
This is a mediocre quarterback that has had a handful of good games and they want to pay him as if he is the GOAT.
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted a QB in Patrick Mahomes, who will be MUCH better, and will be a future HOFer.
Alex Smith is even a better QB.
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Shows how much you know about Carr. He was the best QB in clutch situations last year BY FAR, even breaking records in the process. The fact you think Smith or Mahomes is better proves you don’t know crap about QB’s, let alone Carr. BTW, QB’s ate paid based on skill and their potential to help the team win. DC is 26 and just put together an MVP worthy campaign while virtually carrying the team to 12 wins, not to mention being the heart, soul, and face of the team. You pay a player like that. Obviously. Just wait until Kirk and Stafford get paid, if you think this is ridiculous.

..Raiders’ reported reluctance to sign linebacker Khalil Mack this year due to cap issues is a canard. …Carr ended up with a much larger cap number this year than he otherwise could have had.
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It seems the opposite is true and it wasn’t a “canard” (unfounded rumor) at all – if Carr’s cap number is bigger this year (and still big-ish next year) than it could have been, then that ADDS to the difficulty of showing other players the money now. Whereas a more back-loaded deal in years 4 to 6 would have made more cap space available over the next 3 years.

Iknowitall says:
Jul 2, 2017 2:36 PM
Absolutely OVERPAID for a QB that has not accomplished anything yet.
This is a mediocre quarterback that has had a handful of good games and they want to pay him as if he is the GOAT.
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted a QB in Patrick Mahomes, who will be MUCH better, and will be a future HOFer.
Alex Smith is even a better QB.

The Raiders have just placed themselves in salary cap hell for the next 4-5 years, and Chiefs Nation loves it!!!!!
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Cali is brokee! 13% is outrageous! They will keep increasing taxes to fund Calpers…the state government employees “cradle to grave” jackpot retirement fund. Although it’s not keeping up. Davis and players from the Raiders and opposing teams cannot be taxed in LV as they are in Cali. Cali needs money desperately. And their brokee.

Wisconsin’s Favorite Son Jeffrey Be Dahmed says:
Jul 2, 2017 3:05 PM
Aaron won’t like this. At all. He gets jealous. Very jealous. And arrogant. Very.
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You Viking trolls are everywhere, smh.
I always knew Reggie would make the Raiders a viable team.
He’s a good football guy.
Whomever negotiated the Carr deal did a nice job. It’s fair for both the team and the player. I like Carr. He shows a lot of promise to be a franchise guy.

Shows how much you know about Carr. He was the best QB in clutch situations last year BY FAR, even breaking records in the process.
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BY FAR?? You don’t have to be a Lions fan to know Matt Stafford set the NFL record for 4th quarter comebacks in 2016, you just need to be a fan of the game instead of a shameless homer. Carr had a heck of a year. He is an exceptional talent and a great clutch performer. The kid has the kind of ice water in his veins in big moments that legends are made of, evidenced by the records he did set and his 7 4th quarter comebacks trailed only Stafford’s record setting 8. Why isn’t that enough for the fanboys without the silly hyperbole of comments like “BY FAR?” I’m a Phins fan, we’d kill for Tannehill to have even half the stones and judgement Carr routinely displays in big moments. It’s what separates true franchise quarterbacks from the pack. Good quarterbacks can put up some impressive numbers over time, the really good ones put up impressive W’s and let the other numbers and hyperbole take care of themselves. Carr is on the threshold of elite.

There is no pressing business reason to extend Mack. He is under contract through 2018 and the franchise tag value for linebackers makes him affordable for as much as 2 years after that.

This article is misleading. You should list the correct cap hits instead. According to Spotrac Derek Carr’s cap hits are:
2017: 15.7 million
2018: 25 million
2019: 22.6 million
2020: 22.6 million
2021: 22.6 million
2022:18.2 million
2023: Unrestricted Free Agent

Now aside from 2017 and 2022 it does not look like Carr tried to “save money for his teammates.” Look I get it Carr is a good young quarterback. He has improved each and every year. But my issue is that he tries to come across as a good teammate when in reality he went all in on a huge payday.

I get that Tom Brady’s wife made almost 31 million in 2016. However, in 2016 Brady had a cap hit of 13.7 million. In 2017 Brady’s cap hit will be 14 million. Now that is leaving money for good teammates in order to have a good overall team. So If Carr really wanted to leave money to help improve his team he would have went for say 5 years at 75 million with a $10 million dollar signing bonus.

Briang…ones a Qb the other is not…von miller got his money so your point is what???Look at all the teams that have “sack artists”and the teams who have great QBs.Now with all your knowledge you got in college,which teams fare better.You been dumb long.

Briang…One is a QB the other is not.Every team has a sack artist but every team does not have a great QB.Now with your knowledge of football,what teams usually win more games??Didn’t von miller,jpp etc get the money??Be quiet.

mikespillane337 says:
Jul 2, 2017 6:23 PM
Carr,mariotta,winston,prescott all are up and coming QBs.Future looks good if their teams build their defense a little.I would put luck in their but they are killing him.

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No playoff wins amongst all three of these guys. And I disagree on Winston….I have see nothing that leads me to believe he will be anothing more than mediocre. Carr and Mariota at least show potential. But the Raiders just spent a lot of money for “potentual”.

Potential is a very scary word,but it’s a word that coaches and GMs live by.What made BB keep brady on the roster when keeping 4 QBs was considered insane?To say “they haven’t won a playoff game” is almost like saying marino,kelly,fouts,archie manning etc never won a superbowl.Winston may have been a reach,but with evans and company,he can put up the numbers.I would rather have the QBs I mentioned than a cousins or glennon.Every player ever drafted was based on potential,not on what they have accomplished in the NFL.Some surefire greats have turned into busts and vice versa.When I see carr,mariotta and prescott play I see franchise QBs that will win playoff games.The future looks good for those teams IF they give them a supporting cast.Luck is a great QB stuck in the colts quagmire.

nhpats says:
Jul 2, 2017 7:07 PM
mikespillane337 says:
Jul 2, 2017 6:23 PM
Carr,mariotta,winston,prescott all are up and coming QBs.Future looks good if their teams build their defense a little.I would put luck in their but they are killing him.

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No playoff wins amongst all three of these guys. And I disagree on Winston….I have see nothing that leads me to believe he will be anothing more than mediocre. Carr and Mariota at least show potential. But the Raiders just spent a lot of money for “potentual”.

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you do realize that that their teams where BOTTOM FEEDERS!!!!! when they drafted their QBs

those same teams are now projected to contend or are favored to win their division (except TB).

How much money do you think the Browns would give Carr, if they could get them and instantly become a Playoff Caliber team? I think it would be well over the 25M he got in Oakland.

and anyone who thinks Carr is trash name 10 Qbs under 35 that are better. and I say under 35 because anyone over 35 is pretty close to retirement.

briang123 says:
Jul 2, 2017 4:22 PM
Funny how Carr gets paid but Mack is told to be a good boy and wait. Hmmmm Carr is white and Mack is black. What could possibly account for the difference in treatment?

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Actually it’s because Mack was a first round pick so they had a fifth year contract option the Raiders picked up. But keep trying to divide people and look for racism where there isn’t any.

32assassin says:
Jul 2, 2017 9:12 PM
nhpats says:
Jul 2, 2017 7:07 PM
mikespillane337 says:
Jul 2, 2017 6:23 PM
Carr,mariotta,winston,prescott all are up and coming QBs.Future looks good if their teams build their defense a little.I would put luck in their but they are killing him.

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No playoff wins amongst all three of these guys. And I disagree on Winston….I have see nothing that leads me to believe he will be anothing more than mediocre. Carr and Mariota at least show potential. But the Raiders just spent a lot of money for “potentual”.

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you do realize that that their teams where BOTTOM FEEDERS!!!!! when they drafted their QBs

those same teams are now projected to contend or are favored to win their division (except TB).

How much money do you think the Browns would give Carr, if they could get them and instantly become a Playoff Caliber team? I think it would be well over the 25M he got in Oakland.

and anyone who thinks Carr is trash name 10 Qbs under 35 that are better. and I say under 35 because anyone over 35 is pretty close to retirement.

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The Titans are projected to win the AFC South? By whom?

As for the Cowboys and the Raiders, I would not say they are “projected” to win their division….I believe the Chiefs, Broncos and Giants might have other ideas.

I am not saying Carr is not a decent QB….but remember all the bluster about Andy Dalton? What has he accomplished. The Raiders just paid a huge amount for a guy with zero playoff wins….

streetyson says:
Jul 2, 2017 3:28 PM
..Raiders’ reported reluctance to sign linebacker Khalil Mack this year due to cap issues is a canard. …Carr ended up with a much larger cap number this year than he otherwise could have had.
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It seems the opposite is true and it wasn’t a “canard” (unfounded rumor) at all – if Carr’s cap number is bigger this year (and still big-ish next year) than it could have been, then that ADDS to the difficulty of showing other players the money now. Whereas a more back-loaded deal in years 4 to 6 would have made more cap space available over the next 3 years.

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Its not a canard at all. But also I dont get why people think thats bad, its actually very smart business by the Raiders. The have this juggled nicely so each guy gets their payday but they are timed so the cap isnt getting too gobbled up at any point.

As far as too much money for a guy that hasnt proven anything yet (KC fans say this above)..ok he has yet to ever win a playoff game so Ill go along with ‘nothing proven’, but he has shown plenty enough reason to think he will likely when its all said and done to have been one of the NFLs better QBs, and this is the going rate for a guy that fits that description in this day and age.

32assassin says:
Jul 2, 2017 9:12 PM
nhpats says:
Jul 2, 2017 7:07 PM
mikespillane337 says:
Jul 2, 2017 6:23 PM
Carr,mariotta,winston,prescott all are up and coming QBs.Future looks good if their teams build their defense a little.I would put luck in their but they are killing him.

———–

No playoff wins amongst all three of these guys. And I disagree on Winston….I have see nothing that leads me to believe he will be anothing more than mediocre. Carr and Mariota at least show potential. But the Raiders just spent a lot of money for “potentual”.

—————————————————————

you do realize that that their teams where BOTTOM FEEDERS!!!!! when they drafted their QBs

those same teams are now projected to contend or are favored to win their division (except TB).

How much money do you think the Browns would give Carr, if they could get them and instantly become a Playoff Caliber team? I think it would be well over the 25M he got in Oakland.

and anyone who thinks Carr is trash name 10 Qbs under 35 that are better. and I say under 35 because anyone over 35 is pretty close to retirement.

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The Titans are projected to win the AFC South? By whom?

As for the Cowboys and the Raiders, I would not say they are “projected” to win their division….I believe the Chiefs, Broncos and Giants might have other ideas.

I am not saying Carr is not a decent QB….but remember all the bluster about Andy Dalton? What has he accomplished. The Raiders just paid a huge amount for a guy with zero playoff wins….
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cherry pick my points to win an argument much?????

I first said PROJECT TO CONTEND FOR. before Carr was drafted, the Raiders where only contending for the 1st pick in the draft.
Now that they have Carr they are a Playoff Caliber team. Whether its winning the division or a wildcard team.

again if a QB can do that for your Franchise how much money do you think a team like the Browns, Jets or Jaguars would give him as an UFA.

The Titans might finish last in most divisions, but in the AFC south they where a half game away from being a playoff team in 2016

I get that Tom Brady’s wife made almost 31 million in 2016. However, in 2016 Brady had a cap hit of 13.7 million. In 2017 Brady’s cap hit will be 14 million. Now that is leaving money for good teammates in order to have a good overall team. So If Carr really wanted to leave money to help improve his team he would have went for say 5 years at 75 million with a $10 million dollar signing bonus.

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You Brady fans like to say that he takes team friendly contracts, but fail to realize he did not when he signed his deal. His cap hit was roughly the same percentage at the time of signing as Carr’s. They have restructured a few times and the cap has since gone up so it has freed up cap space. Just like Carr will be able to do. But when Brady signed it was not any more team friendly than Carr. One of Tom’s contracts made him the highest paid player in the league until other signings later that off season. Just like Carr.

Plus, the Pats get to pay a LOT of money to the TB12 Training Facility without that counting against the cap. It is crazy that the NFL goes on Brady witch hunts but allows that to happen?

Funny how Carr gets paid but Mack is told to be a good boy and wait. Hmmmm Carr is white and Mack is black. What could possibly account for the difference in treatment?
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Wow already??? Maybe that Mack is a 1st rounder and Carr a 2nd…

Worth every penny. Raiders will win the Super Bowl at least once during his career there and likely more than once. Dude has HOF legit potential – arm, leadership and drive. We’re lucky to have him. Not too many teams out there wouldn’t gladly pay him this or more to play for them.